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mile oval, so there's obviously no track on this year's schedule that he's more enthused about visiting.
"I'm definitely looking forward to going there," bottom-lined Clanton. "Something clicked there for us last year and hopefully we'll be able to carry it over. We sure could use a good run."
After his two previous starts at VMS brought him pedestrian finishes of eighth (2005) and 10th (2006), Clanton certainly discovered the fast way around the track in '07, coming very close to sweeping the pair of 50-lap A-Mains. He finished second to Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., in the 'Rumble on the River III,' on April 14, after setting fast time, winning a heat and leading laps 1-21, then outdueled Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., to capture the memorable 'Summer Sizzler 50' on July 20.
Clanton's triumph came in one of last season's most exciting WoO LMS events. He was involved in all six of the race's lead changes, including the deciding move on lap 45 when he criss-crossed lanes with Lanigan amid lapped traffic off turn four to gain command. Clanton's final victory margin over Lanigan was a mere 0.539 of a second.
What was the secret to Clanton's success at VMS last year? Just look under the hood.
"I think the key is that we have a real good motor program," said Clanton, whose Ronnie Dobbins-owned team uses Custom Racing Engines. "At (Virginia), motor helps a lot. It's got long straightaways, and you carry speed into the corners.
"We got a brand-new piece we're gonna carry back there (on Friday), so we hope it's better than the one we ran last year and we can run up front again."
Calling VMS a top-notch facility that's run by "the nicest people in the business," Clanton would like nothing better than to use his trip there as a springboard for his '08 WoO LMS season. He's been a contender in all four tour events run so far, but he has only one top-five finish to show for his speed and thus ranks 10th in the points standings.
"I'm excited to go back to Virginia," smiled Clanton.
Clanton will pull into VMS on Friday as part of a talented 2008 WoO LMS driver roster that boasts Babb, Lanigan, defending champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; 2007 Rookie of the Year Tim Fuller; and Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill.
Current WoO LMS points leader Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., who owns three tour championships, also plans to enter the event in search of his fourth consecutive series victory.
Other drivers expected include John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., who is planning to return as a WoO LMS fulltimer this season; '08 Rookie of the Year contenders Vic Coffey of Leicester, N.Y., Danny Johnson of Phelps, N.Y., and Joe Isabell of Pennellville, N.Y.; Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., who was a contender to win last July's WoO LMS event at VMS; defending MACS tour champ Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa.; and Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del.
VMS's competitor gates will open at 3 p.m. on Friday, with spectator gates unlocked at 5 p.m. On-track activities will begin at 7 p.m. with hot laps.
On the WoO LMS undercard will be VMS's Truckin Thunder Sportsman and Budweiser Modifieds, with both divisions competing in hot-lap time trials and 25-lap features.
Adult tickets are just $30, with seniors and military members $25, students 13-17 admitted for $12, children 7-12 years old $5 and kids 6-and-under free. VMS will also offer a 'Family Pack' ticket - two adults and two children 12 and under - for $60.
Fans can visit the track's website at www.vamotorspeedway.com to print out $5-off discount coupons good for adult, senior and military tickets.
Pit Passes will be $30.
Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway is located on U.S. Route 17, just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.
For more information, check www.vamotorspeedway.com or call the track office at 804-758-1VMS.
Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.
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